Senior Journalist Hamid Mir: Never Imagined Maulana Fazlur Rehman Would Join Calls for Imran Khan’s Release

Senior journalist Hamid Mir writes in his column that he had never imagined that Maulana Fazlur Rehman would also become one of those demanding the release of Imran Khan.
According to Hamid Mir, he has known both Imran Khan and Maulana Fazlur Rehman since 1988. At that time, Pakistan’s military president, General Zia-ul-Haq, dismissed Prime Minister Muhammad Khan Junejo, whom he had appointed, over allegations of corruption.
Hamid Mir writes that Nawaz Sharif, who was then the chief minister of Punjab, sided with General Zia-ul-Haq instead of standing by Junejo, the prime minister of his own party, the Pakistan Muslim League.
According to Mir, after dismissing Junejo’s government, General Zia-ul-Haq decided to include Imran Khan in the new government. Imran Khan had retired from Test cricket in 1987, but he reversed his retirement at General Zia-ul-Haq’s request.
Hamid Mir states that General Zia-ul-Haq believed Imran Khan’s inclusion in the new government could significantly help restore his damaged public image and credibility.